Chime lock for cans



Dec, E2, '967 A. J. wExss 'CHIME LOCK FOR CANS Filed Feb. 9, 1965 INVENTOP MNHU d. WSSS ATTORNEY United States Patent C) 3,357,552 CHIME LOCK FR CANS Arthur J. Weiss, Bergentield, NJ., assigner to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 9, 1965, Ser. No. 431,305 4 Claims. (Cl. 20G-65) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in cartons for containers, such as cans, and more particularly to a carton having novel means for interlocking engagement with containers disposed therein.

This invention particularly relates to cartons for containers of the type having lateral peripheral projections at the ends thereof and cartons formed in accordance with this invention are particularly adapted for interlocking engagement with the peripheral projections.

In the past, interlocks between projections on containers'nd cartons wrapped therearound have been effected by notching the side walls of the cartons to provide openings for receiving the container projections. It has been found that the notching of the cartons in this manner unduly weakens the cartons and does not provide for the desired interlock between the containers and the cartons. Accordingly, in accordance with this invention, it is proposed t-o so form cartons of the wrap-around type wherein a strap is formed on each carton for each of the containers disposed therein, the strap being so positioned whereby it is aligned with the projecting part of an associated container and serves to tightly grip the projection on the container in a manner so as to secure the container in a Xed position within the cart-on.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel carton of the wrap-around type which is particularly adapted for receiving containers of the type having lateral peripheralprojections at the ends thereof, such as the chimes or seams of cans, the carton formed in accordance with this invention having a narrow notch formed in the side panel thereof immediately adjacent the connection of the side panel with a carton panel which opposes the ends of containers, and a cut line generally opposing the notch whereby there is simultaneously formed in the carton a strap in the side panel and a projecting flap in the carton panel which opposes the ends of the containers, the strap being of the expansion type and being engageable with the projection of an associated container so as to rmly lock the container in place within the carton.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel carton of the type set forth above wherein the cut line in the side panel adjacent the notch is of a generally T- shaped configuration so as to additionally provide a pair of locking flaps immediately adjacent the strap, the locking aps being engageable with the body of the container on the longitudinal center side of the projection thereof so that the locking aps may lock behind a container projection which is tightly engaged with the strap of the carton. l

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nat-ure of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a top perspective view of a carton formed in accordance with this invention and shows the general details thereof.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse ve-rtical sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 and shows further the details of the carton and the relationship thereof with respect to containers, the containers being shown in phantom lines.

3,357,552 Patented Dec. 12, 1967 ICC FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary plan View of a blank from which the carton of FIGURE 1 is formed.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the carton and shows the details of the lock formed therein.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken along the line 5 5 of FIGURE 4 and shows the specific details of an interlock between the carton and a container disposed therein, the container being shown in phantom lines.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated in FIGURE 1 a carton which is formed in accordance with this invention, the carton being generally referred to by the numeral 10. The carton 10 is formed from an elongated generally rectangular blank and includes a top panel 11 which is disposed centrally of the blank from which the carton 10 is formed, the blank being generally referred to by the numeral 12, as is shown in FIGURE 3. The carton 10 includes a pair of side panels 13 and 14 which are connected to the top panel 11 along interrupted fold lines 15 and 16, respectively. The carton 10 also includes a bottom panel 17, which is connected to the side panel 13 valong an interrupted fold line 18, and a bottom panel 19 which is connected to the side panel 14 along an interrupted fold line 20. The bottom panels 17 and 19 are disposed in partially overlapping relation and are tightly secured together by a conventional type of interlock which is generally referred to by the numeral 21. In addition, the bottom panel 17 is also provided with an upstanding rib or keel 22 having notches 23 therein for the reception of projections on containers.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 in particular, it will be seen that in a completed package, the carton 10 has received therein a plurality of containers arranged in two rows, The containers are generally identified by the numeral 24 and normally are in the form of conventional cans, although the invention is not so limited. The cans or containers 24 are provided at their opposite ends with lateral peripheral projections 25 which, in the case of cans, are considered to be the seams or chimes of the cans. It is also to be noted that the projections 25 extend longitudinally of the containers 24 beyond the adjacent end panels 26 thereof. It is these projections of the containers 24 which are relied upon for the principal interlocking of the carton 10 therewith.

In the illustrated carton, the carton is provided with a series of H-shaped cuts 27 along the foldlines 18 and 2i) to define openings 28 for the reception of the projections 25 of the containers 24. It is also to be understood that the projections 25 are receivable in the notches in the rib 22. In this manner, the lower ends of the containers are firmly interlocked with the carton 10.

The top panel 11 is provided with a plurality of flaps 30 which are particularly adapted to be positioned between the projections of a pair of adjacent containers to both form a partial interlock with the containers and to prevent the riding of the projection of one container over the other. The relationship of the containers with respect to one of the aps 30 is clearly Shown in FIGURE 2.

The panel 11 is also provided with a plurality of folded locking tabs 31 for reception within the recessed ends of the container 24. The locking tabs 31 are so positioned and congurated for reception in the endmost ones of thev containers of each row of containers so as to prevent movement of the endmost containers towards the adjacent open ends of the carton 10.

-In order to facilitate the interlocking of the container 24 with the upper portion of the carton 10, in the carton blank 12, along the fold lines 15 and 16 there are formed a plurality of C-shaped cuts 33. Each of the C-shaped cuts 33 is primarily formed in the associated one of the side panels 13 and 14 and opens towards the panel 11. Furthermore, it is to be noted that each of the cuts 33 is disposed in alignment with the midpoint of the intended position of an adjacent container. Each of the side panels13 and 14 is also provided with a generally T-shaped cut, which is referred to by the numeral 34, in alignment with each of the C-shaped cuts 33. Each T-shaped cut 34 is formed of a generally C-shaped cut 35, which is in back-to-back relation with respect to the associated cut 33, and a straight line cut 36 which is disposed normal to the adjacent fold line and which intersects the center of the associated C-shaped cut 35.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 4 in particular, it will be seen that when the carton blank 12 is folded to form the carton, inasmuch as the C-shaped cuts 33 are formed primarily in the side panels 13 and 14, there results in the formation of aps 37 i which are integral with the top panel 11 and which .project outwardly of the side panels 13 and 14. Also, it will be readily apparent that the relationship of each C-shaped cut 33 and its associated T-shaped cut 34 is such so as to define a longitudinally extending strap 38 in the associated side panel in alignment with each of the fiaps 37. Furthermore, the specific configuration of the T-shaped cut 34 results in the formation of a pair of locking flaps 39 immediately adjacent the locking strap 38. The aps 39 are disposed on opposite sides of the straight line cnt 36 and are individually outwardly expansible to conform to the shape of the container which is to be locked within the cartonf10.

It will be readily apparent that when the carton is tightly wrapped about six of the containers 24, the upper portion of each of the containers will be firmly interlocked with the upper portions of a respective one of the side panels 13 and 14. As is clearly apparent in FIGURE 5, although the side panels 13 and 14 are brought into tight engagement with the containers 24, the projections 25 of the containers 24 will result in the outward defiection of the straps 38 vwith the straps 38 tightly engaging and conforming to the contour of the associated portion of the container projection 25 to form a firm interlock between the strap 38 and the container projection 25. At the same time, it will be seen that the associated flap 37 will overlie the projection 25 and provide adequate axial support therefor. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the locking flaps 39 will closely follow the contour of each container 24 immediately below the projection 25 and be interlocked beneath the projection 25. In this manner, as` is clearly shown in FIGURE 5, each container 24 is firmly interlocked Ywith the carton 10 at the upper end of the container 24.

It is also pointed out at this time that the specific arrangement of the cuts in the carton whichresult in he forming of the straps 38 and the locking flaps 39 is of a nature wherein not only is an added interlock provided between the carton and the containers, but also the carton has a minimum amount of material removed therefrom so as to not unduly weaken the same. In addition, it will be readily apparent that each of the straps 38, since it is longitudinally co-extensive with the remainder of the carton, prevents any transverse weakening of the carton. Y

Atthis time it is pointed out that the carton 10 is also provided with a pair of finger receiving openings 40 in the top panel 11 to facilitate the gripping of the carton for the purpose of carrying the package of which the carton 10 forms a part. In addition, in order that the package may be readily opened, thetop panel 11 isv provided with a cut out 41 which is generally aligned with a series of diverging slits 42 to facilitate the tearing away 4 of the side panel 13. Thus, the carton 10 provides for the firm lanchorage of containers therein, and at they same time, facilitates the removal of the containers when it is so desired.

Although only a preferred embodiment of the invention has been specifically illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that minor variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a carton of the wrap-around type particularly adapted for holding a plurality of containers of the type having a lateral peripheral projection at at least one end thereof, a panel adapted to engage container ends, va side panel connected to the first mentioned panel along a fold line, a first cut line generally along said fold line in alignment with the intended position of a container and a second cut line in said side panel in spaced adjacent relation to said first cut line to define a strap in said side panel extending generally parallel to said fold line for engagement with a container projection, said yfirst cut line being primarily formed in said side panel and defining a projecting fiap on said first mentioned panel for overlying a container projection in spaced relation to said strap.

2. The carton of claim 1 wherein said cut lines are generally C-shaped and in back-to-back relation.

3. In a carton blank for a carton of the wrap-around type particularly adapted for holding a plurality of containers of the type having a lateral peripheral projection at at least one end thereof, first and second adjacent panels connected together by a fold line, a generally C- shaped first cut line formed in said first panel along said fold line and opening towards said second panel to form a projecting flap on said second panel swingable away from said first panel when said first and second panels are swung relative to one another, and a generally C- shaped second cut line in said first panel in back-to-back relation to said first cut line and together with said first cut line defining a strap in said first panel aligned with and immediately adjacent to said fiap.

4. In a package comprising a plurality of containers and a wrap-around carton, an interlocking connection between said carton and one of said containers comprising a carton side panel, an adjacent carton panel connected to said carton side panel and a lateral projection on one container at one end thereof; said side panel having a longitudinally extending strap aligned with said container projection and said strap being connected to the remainder of said side panel only at the ends of said strap with said strap being outwardly bowed by said projection; and a projecting flap on said adjacent carton panel longitudinally aligned with and transversely spaced from said strap, said flap projecting outwardly of said carton side wall and overlapping said container projection.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,381,543 8/1945 Inman. Y 2,841,279 7/1958 Forrer 206-65 2,867,320 1/1959 f Andre 206-65 2,990,997 7/1961 Weiss 229-50 i FOREIGN PATENTS 830,534 3/1960 Great Britain.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

MARTHA L. RICE, Examiner. 

1. IN A CARTON OF THE WRAP-AROUND TYPE PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR HOLDING A PLURALITY OF CONTAINERS OF THE TYPE HAVING A LATERAL PERIPHERAL PROJECTION AT AT LEAST ONE END THEREOF, A PANEL ADAPTED TO ENGAGE CONTAINER ENDS, A SIDE PANEL CONNECTED TO THE FIRST MENTIONED PANEL ALONG A FOLD LINE, A FIRST CUT LINE GENERALLY ALONG SAID FOLD LINE IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE INTENDED POSITION OF A CONTAINER AND A SECOND CUT LINE IN SAID SIDE PANEL IN SPACED ADJACENT RELATION TO SAID FIRST CUT LINE TO DEFINE A STRAP IN SAID SIDE PANEL EXTENDING GENERALLY PARALLEL TO SAID FOLD LINE FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH A CONTAINER PROJECTION, SAID FIRST CUT LINE BEING PRIMARILY FORMED IN SAID SIDE PANEL AND DEFINING A PROJECTING FLAP ON SAID FIRST MENTIONED PANEL FOR OVERLYING A CONTAINER PROJECTION IN SPACED RELATION TO SAID STRAP. 